OHENENANA’S LETTER TO PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO

Dear President,

In a democracy, sovereign power is in the hands of the collective body of the people, who alone decide who their representatives shall be, and how they shall govern over them. Free and fair elections are a must in any democracy, as this is the only means by which the people can chose their representatives. All modern democracies including ours have a well structured system of election including election supervising outfits through which their head of state is decided.

Inherent in the notion of free and fair elections is that everyone and all legally registered political organizations should enjoy equal political rights. Inequality may exist in society and in the economy, but politically everyone should be equally placed in so far as choosing their president or representatives is concerned. This has led to the emergence of universal adult franchise, meaning all those who are adults (18 years and above) will be entitled to vote. Thereby, a number of undemocratic requirements intended to limit the electorate strength stand done away with.

Mr President, the process of elections, so as to be truly meaningful has to be free and fair and you vigorously championed this principle in opposition. For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure there is an independent and impartial body to oversee the process of elections. Ideally, it should consist of representatives completely insulated from all kinds of extraneous pulls and pressures, like those likely to be exerted by the ruling party.

Mr President, I agree with the assertion that actions of the electoral commission and the chairpersons must be judicially reviewable if found to be patently mala fide, but hold the view that should not otherwise be subject to any executive or legislative control. In so far as the term and conditions and removal of the EC bosses are concerned, the President was given full authority to decide upon the framing rules. The relevant constitutional provisions simply laid down the manner of removal of the Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission and can not be challenged. But as justified by the framers of the constitution, this provision was found necessary to ensure the independent functioning of the commission, by insulating it from executive control. Clearly, the aim of having an independent and impartial election machinery would have been defeated had the executive been in a position to simply remove the EC bosses. Yes, the argument emanating from persons who support the removal of the Electoral Commission bosses is that, you [President] only acted upon the recommendation by the Chief Justice’s committee. This procedure is clearly stated in the constitution but those recommendations are required to be found upon relevant considerations. The manner of removal of the EC bosses is a bit problematic and if not managed well, could undermine the survival of the dispensation.

Mr President, relying upon the definition of “CHAIRMAN” as given in a number of dictionaries, the role of a chairman is to preside over the meetings of the board of directors. She is under a duty to preside over the proceedings; ensuring decisions are taken and properly recorded. In other words, she (Charlotte Osei) will be required to do all that is needed for the smooth conduct of the business or organization. It must also be established that the commission is in addition to administrative functions also required to discharge functions that are legislative and quasi judicial in nature. How independent is the EC if it cannot handle its own administrative matters including procurement issues. The core mandate of the Electoral Commission is supervising our elections.

Mr President, the most important responsibility the constitution places on you is protecting the peace we enjoying and being the commander in Chief, ensure the safety of all Ghanaians and their properties. This singular decision could lead to unnecessary tension in the country. You expressed same reservation in opposition and to sound more credible, let me remind you of some pronouncements you made in reaction to certain actions you deemed undemocratic and politically inappropriate

-You charged your supporters to increase the political temperature

-You called for the famous “All die be die” approach

-You reminded the incumbent that the militants on your side could be called upon to cause mayhem.

You and your party organised series of demonstrations in protest against certain decisions you thought could undermine smooth elections.

Your party, Gabby Otchere-Darko and your campaign team made their position on Charlotte Osei clear before the 2016 election. The woman went through barrage of attacks. These are the issues you should have considered alongside the recommendations presented to you before your approval. Legally, you can exonerate yourself but the most weakest mind in the country knows that the woman’s removal was a well planned agenda by you and your party.

Mr President, unless you ensure free and fair elections, the unity of the country may come under severe threat. To ensure free and fair elections, the constitutionally created body responsible for our elections (EC) must enjoy its independence fully.

Mr President, the charges raised against the EC boss are not too damaging to warrant her removal. They are issues outside the core operational scope of the commission and could be handled internally. The issues didn’t effect the commission’s work in the 2016 election and we are yet to be told if the procurement issues affected the 2016 election in anyway.

Mr President, what makes decision dangerous is pronouncements you and your party folks made about the EC boss prior to the 2016 election. The opposition NDC and all parties that challenge her removal will have solid grounds to push their agitation because of the position you took in the past about the woman.

Mr President, you are gradually leading this beautiful country into a bottomless pit. Certain decisions taken in recent times have started creating serious tension in the country. The opposition and many Ghanaians have started agitating strongly against the National ID card registration and suspect that your government is up to something mischievous. Ghanaians have started kicking against government’s decision to spend Ghc 932 million on referenda for the creation of new regions. Others are of the opinion that your government’s decision to create more regions is part of the plans to rig the 2020 election. The removal of the EC boss and her deputies has confirmed this suspicion and fear Mr President.

Mr President, you still working alongside other regional leaders to restore peace and sanity in Togo. I know you are very much aware why Togo is going through this challenging times. Elections is the heard best of our democracy and any attempt to touch that part of the democratic body, could create the Togo situation in Ghana.